McDonald's USA Searches Country for the Hottest DJ with Launch of 2015 Flavor Battle Competition

OAK BROOK, Ill., Oct. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- McDonald's USA hooks up with leaders in hip-hop culture to announce the launch of its 2015 Flavor Battle competition. The eight-week national DJ competition challenges America's hottest up-and-coming mix masters to prove they are the best on the 1s and 2s. Twelve DJs, each representing a U.S. region—East Coast, West Coast and Central—will battle it out for DJ supremacy. Now in its seventh year, the competition has garnered recognition from hip-hop elites, such as DJ Clark Kent, who will serve as this year's host and radio host/entertainment personality, Angela Yee who will serve as Flavor Battle's social media correspondent. The celebrity judges this year will be DJ Skribble, DJ Shiftee, DJ Jazzy Joyce and the 2013 Flavor Battle champion, DJ R-Tistic.

"I've followed the Flavor Battle competition for a number of years now; I'm excited to partner with McDonald's on a competition that values creativity and the flavor of a generation," said DJ Clark Kent.

Music lovers can listen to a custom music mix from each DJ on www.flavorbattle.com and vote daily for their favorite mix-master from each region. The three DJs with the most votes will travel to New York City to compete in front of a panel of celebrity judges and live audience during the 2015 Global Spin Awards weekend. This year, McDonald's serves as a title sponsor for the Global Spin Awards, an international awards show that recognizes DJs across genres. Ultimately, one DJ will be crowned the Flavor Battle champion and take home a $10,000 cash prize. The second prize winner will be awarded $3,000 and the third place winner will receive $1,000.

"The mixes this year really push the envelope in terms of creativity and personal flavor," DJ Clark Kent said. "Any and everyone should vote daily for the mix with the most promise. It's important we show support on rising artists of tomorrow."

Fans of great dj-ing are encouraged to vote often for their favorite mix-master. Each vote helps the DJ advance to the next round and qualifies consumers for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to New York City for the Flavor Battle live finale event. Voters can share their top picks with their social networks via Twitter and Facebook directly from www.flavorbattle.com.

"McDonald's Flavor Battle brings relevant music and the brand's craveable flavor together through a fun representation of expression," said William Rhodes, McDonald's U.S. marketing director. "Musical forms are constantly changing, it's important for McDonald's to stay up-to-date with the creativity that influences the lifestyle of our customers."

In conjunction with lifestyle network Complex Media, McDonald's Flavor Battle launched in 2009 as an extension of the company's 365Black initiative. McDonald's 365Black platform was created to celebrate the pride, heritage and achievements of African-Americans year round. Be sure to follow @365Black on Twitter and follow the conversation using the hashtag #365FlavorBattle.

About McDonald's

McDonald's USA, LLC, serves a variety of menu options made with quality ingredients to more than 27 million customers every day. Nearly 90 percent of McDonald's 14,000 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by businessmen and women. Customers can now log online for free at approximately 11,500 participating Wi-Fi enabled McDonald's U.S. restaurants. For more information, visit www.mcdonalds.com, or follow us on Twitter @365Black and Facebook www.facebook.com/mcdonalds. To learn more about the 365Black initiative, visit www.365Black.com.

About Complex Media

Complex Media is the leading provider of style, entertainment, lifestyle and product content dedicated to young male tastemakers. The company launched in 2002 with Complex magazine, a men's style guide and lifestyle publication with a current circulation of 345,000. Complex Media expanded to include flagship web site Complex.com (www.complex.com), which attracts more than 2.2 million unique monthly visitors; as well as the Complex Media Network (www.complexmedianetwork.com), a network of 70+, 100% exclusive Web sites targeting men 18-34 which generates more than 420 million page views and attracts 37 million unique visitors per month.

About Global Spin Awards

The GLOBAL SPIN AWARDS has been established to honor DJs from across the globe for their contribution to the music and entertainment industries. The GSAs have been classified as the Gold Standard of DJ Recognition by music industry heavy weights. Actors have the Academy Awards, Musicians have the Grammy and Now DJ's have the GSAs.

© 2015 McDonald's USA

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SOURCE McDonald’s USA